If you are looking for a place to explore the teacher side of the yoga classroom, or if you simply want to enhance your personal knowledge of yoga, our 200-Hour Teaching Training Program has a place for you. Although not all of our graduates choose to teach, they all go on to a more authentic and meaningful understanding of the principles and practices of yoga.

Sunrise Yoga is a Registered Yoga School (RYS) with Yoga Alliance. Our graduates are entitled to register their teaching credentials with Yoga Alliance.

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Discovery

I began the teacher training program hoping that I would become a better teacher. While that has occurred, I have also become a better person in the process. The discovery that takes place during this program goes so much further than postures and alignment. Valerie is an amazing teacher. Her knowledge is wide and deep. Her style is compassionate. Each month one finds oneself wishing that teacher training was every weekend and not just one weekend per month. I encourage anyone interested in self-growth and development to participate in this program. And, by the way… it’s a lot of fun!

Diana James
500-hour Certified Yoga Teacher

Best Thing

Signing up for the Sunrise Yoga Teacher Training program was the best thing I ever did. I’d taken other ‘workshops’ and training but none gave me as much information and practice as this program. Valerie was very encouraging – honoring students’ individual needs but still guiding them to a better knowledge of yoga. As a teacher, I felt I needed something deeper and more comprehensive. This 200RYS program provided it all – history, philosophy, anatomy and pose breakdown. Plus we gained valuable resources in our books, articles and homework that I can carry into all my future teaching. Highly recommend this program. Plus the format – 12 weekends over the course of a year – allows you to have a ‘life’.

Michelle Stevens
200 Hour Graduate

More Knowledge

My 200RYT gave me so much more knowledge about the practice, about yoga than I ever expected! Valerie, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and your commitment and dedication to the TT program.

Jennifer Moller
200 Hour Graduate

Thorough

I think the 200-Hour Teacher Training Program at Sunrise Yoga is wonderful! Only after completing the course do you get an idea of how much thought, time and preparation must have gone into creating such a thorough program (and I still probably have no idea).

The amount of information Valerie successfully conveyed to the students could have been overwhelming, but it wasn’t at all. I really feel like I got so much more than I could have hoped for out of this class. I absolutely would recommend (and have to three people so far) the Teacher Training Program at Sunrise Yoga Studio. I hope I can recommend the 300-Hour Teacher Training Program one day as well!

Thanks for sharing your time, energy, and knowledge.

April Liner
200 Hour Graduate

Exemplary

Valerie’s breadth of knowledge is exemplary. She has broadened my awareness of so many aspects of yoga. I feel very inspired to continue to experience yoga more deeply and fully.

Gwendolyn McLaughlin
RYT500

Exceeded My Expectations

The Sunrise Yoga Studio 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training program has met and exceeded my expectations in terms of the quality and scope of the course. From the required reading materials to the asana practices in class and the discussions about yoga anatomy, philosophy and teaching methodology, the program provides a comprehensive understanding of what is needed to become a yoga instructor. The learning environment is both friendly and supportive and the student quickly learns not only how good a teacher Valerie is, but also how passionate, caring and encouraging she is as well. Just a great program!

Neal Haberman
200 Hour Graduate

Challenging Times

My year in the Sunrise Yoga Studio 200YTT program has been filled with some of the best and most challenging times in my life. The program didn’t just make me a better instructor it has made me a better human. Thank you Valerie and the 200 YTT class of 2015!

Brittany Wilson
200 Hour Graduate

Deep Understanding

A little over a year ago I started looking into Teacher Training programs in the area. I wanted to learn more about yoga to strengthen my at home practice and to eventually start teaching. I was so excited to find Sunrise Yoga and immediately started taking classes. It only took a few classes with Valerie for me to make my decision to sign up for the Teacher Training Program and I have been so grateful ever since. Valerie’s deep understanding of the postures and anatomy is so clear in how she is able to teach proper alignment. Not only does she share her knowledge of the postures, but also yoga philosophy, meditation and pranayama and how to incorporate all of these to create a well-balanced practice. The weekends are well planned out and I am always amazed by how much I learn and how I leave there still excited to learn more. Thanks so much to Valerie for offering this program. It has been a truly positive learning experience for me and I feel like I have grown so much not only by her teachings but also by getting to know the other students in the program.

Melissa Leak
200 Hour Graduate

Great People

The Sunrise Yoga 200-Hour Teacher Training has meant more to me than I had hoped. Valerie is a great teacher and covers so many facets of yoga. The instruction and material have helped me to understand why the practice of yoga has been so important in my life. It is a great gift to yourself for growth and happiness, besides getting to spend time with a lot of great people. There is a calmness and sense of tranquility surrounding Sunrise Yoga and now I understand why.

Frances Hayes
200 Hour Graduate

Whole New Level

“The Sunrise Yoga Teacher training program has been a phenomenal experience. The information provided over the last 12 months has not only taken my own practice to a whole new level, but it has also provided me with the knowledge and confidence to teach yoga – and to teach it well. The whole process has been very rewarding and I would highly recommend the program to anyone interested in understanding Yoga on a deeper level.”

Leslie Newsome
200 Hour Graduate

Fundamental Concepts

The 200-hour yoga training program gave me a greater understanding of the fundamental concepts of yoga. I did not enter the program with any intention of teaching. I wanted a better understanding of Yoga. Through the program, I was able to understand why Yoga works and why I need it.

Kimberly Cruz
200 Hour Graduate

Beyond the Mat

“The 200-Hour Teacher Training Program at Sunrise Yoga Studio is not only a convenient and affordable way to complete a 200-hour yoga teacher program, but it is absolutely an incredible experience and journey in the practice of yoga. Exploring yoga beyond the mat awakens your mind, body, and soul and this program will help guide you toward achieving personal growth on and off the yoga mat. Valerie’s knowledge of yoga practice and lifestyle is in-depth and her ability to teach with patience and understanding the individual needs of each student makes this program well worth the time and effort. In addition, the Sunrise Yoga Studio is very clean, well equipped, and promotes a peaceful and relaxing environment.”

Myron Coulson
200 Hour Graduate

What You'll learn

The Classroom experience

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What You'll Learn

Working with an alignment-based approach to yoga, our 200-hour teacher trainees learn:

Anatomy and physiology for the yoga instructor – what you need to know in order to teach safely and effectively

How to use props – provided during your training – to make yoga postures accessible to all body types with all levels of experience

The essence of yoga’s ancient and modern texts, from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras to Iyengar’s Light on Yoga

How to handle common medical issues your student may face

Ayurveda and Chakras as accompaniments to yoga

The Classroom Experience

Each weekend session incorporates a variety of topics and always includes asana practice to accompany the material covered. In addition, during each weekend session students will discuss and learn:

How to incorporate yoga anatomy and philosophy into the teaching process

Principles of verbal and hands-on adjustment techniques

Managing the classroom and the variety of students who come with it

How to create an effective lesson plan and how to teach it with confidence

How to modify or substitute alternate postures for students with health or medical issues

Meditation, chanting and mudras to support other yoga practices

To further prepare you for your teaching journey, classroom exercises provide students with the opportunity to practice teach, observe the techniques of other teachers, and learn how to communicate clearly with your students.

Are You Ready?

Entrance requirements for the 200-Hour Teacher Training Program:

All abilities and ages (over 18) are welcome!

Ability to do certain poses or practice at an advanced level is NOT required

You do NOT need to be planning a teaching career! Those who simply want to learn on a deeper level are encouraged to attend even if they do not plan to teach.

A minimum one-year prior yoga experience preferred

Personal interview to explore your interest, yoga background, and current knowledge of yoga

Attendance in at least one class with Valerie or a Teacher Training Open House at Sunrise Yoga Studio.